I totally agree about the plants—while peace lilies and snake plants are great for general air quality, I doubt they'd do much in a small, enclosed space like a closet. A while back, I had a rental property with a persistent mold issue in one of the bedroom closets. Tried the plant route first (because, hey, natural solutions always sound appealing), but honestly, it didn't make any noticeable difference. The closet was just too small and lacked proper airflow.
Eventually, I switched to DampRid tubs like you mentioned, and they worked surprisingly well. I placed two of them on opposite ends of the closet shelf, and within days the musty smell was noticeably reduced. After about two weeks, the mold stopped returning altogether. I've also heard good things about activated charcoal bags—they're reusable if you dry them out in sunlight every month or so—but haven't personally tried them yet.
On the frizzy hair front...I feel your pain. My hair turns into a fluffy mess at even the slightest hint of humidity. I've experimented with DIY serums too—coconut oil alone made my hair greasy fast, but mixing it with aloe vera gel sounds promising. Currently, I'm using a homemade spray with distilled water, glycerin, and a few drops of argan oil. It's not perfect by any means (still have those ponytail days), but it definitely helps smooth things out without weighing my hair down too much.
Humidity really is one of those sneaky problems that can affect everything from closets to hairstyles...and it's always interesting to see how others tackle it differently.
Have to say, plants didn't do much for me either, but honestly, DampRid wasn't a long-term fix. Ended up installing a small vent in the closet door—sounds drastic, but it finally solved the airflow issue. Hair-wise...still searching for my miracle fix, haha.
"Ended up installing a small vent in the closet door—sounds drastic, but it finally solved the airflow issue."
Installing a vent was actually a very sensible move. It might seem drastic at first glance, but closets often lack proper airflow, making them prime spots for mold and mildew. When I renovated my first place, I initially tried DampRid too—it's good temporarily, but as you mentioned, it doesn't solve the underlying problem.
One thing I'd suggest checking is your home's humidity levels overall. If you haven't already, investing in a decent hygrometer can help you pinpoint exactly how humid your indoor environment is. Ideally, you want to keep your indoor humidity between 40% and 50%. If it's consistently higher than that, even with improved airflow, you might consider a small dehumidifier or looking into your home's ventilation system more broadly.
Regarding your hair struggles...well, that's a battle many of us share! Humidity can be brutal on hair texture. I've found that using sulfate-free shampoos and silicone-based serums helps tame frizz somewhat. Also, microfiber towels instead of regular cotton ones are gentler on hair and minimize frizz caused by friction. Doesn't completely solve everything, but every little bit helps.
Lastly, if you're open to it, you could consider a protective coating or anti-mold paint inside the closet walls. It's not always necessary if the airflow is good now, but it can add an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
Good luck with both your closet and hair endeavors—you're certainly not alone in this struggle!
"Ideally, you want to keep your indoor humidity between 40% and 50%."
Totally agree with this. I had similar issues in a rental property—ended up adding small portable dehumidifiers in closets. They're quiet, affordable, and really effective. Plus, my tenants appreciated fewer mold complaints...and better hair days too, lol.
"They're quiet, affordable, and really effective."
I see your point about portable dehumidifiers—they definitely have their place. But I think it's worth mentioning that relying solely on small units in closets might not be the most effective long-term solution for everyone. I've found that these smaller devices often need frequent emptying, especially in humid climates or during rainy seasons. It can get tedious pretty quickly, and if you forget to empty them regularly, you're back to square one with mold issues.
In my experience, addressing the root cause of high humidity tends to be more beneficial in the long run. For example, improving ventilation or checking insulation around windows and doors can significantly reduce moisture buildup without constantly managing multiple small appliances. I recently helped a friend who had persistent mold problems in an older home—turns out their bathroom exhaust fan wasn't vented properly, so moisture kept getting trapped inside walls and closets. Once we corrected that issue and added better airflow throughout the house, humidity levels naturally dropped into that ideal 40%-50% range.
Also worth considering: whole-house dehumidifiers or integrated HVAC solutions if budget allows. They're obviously pricier upfront but can save you headaches (and maintenance chores) down the road. Plus, keeping humidity consistent throughout your entire home—not just isolated spaces—really does wonders for overall comfort and air quality.
Not trying to dismiss portable units entirely—they're great for temporary fixes or smaller spaces—but just wanted to offer another perspective based on my own experiences tackling stubborn humidity issues over time.
